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Community Charge 2018/19

Community Charge 2018/19

Posted: Sun 11 Mar, 2018 1:38 pm

by TcfL

The Mercury is reporting that HCC is proposing a rise for 2018/19 of 5.99%! Don't feel they currently deliver a service fit for the amount already charged, so presume this new rate is being set at a level of 0.01% below referendum level as they are not prepared to be democratic and go for a referendum on their proposals and service delivery!

Re: Community Charge 2018/19

Posted: Sun 11 Mar, 2018 4:07 pm

by Steve

The Community Charge (aka Poll Tax) was replaced by Council Tax in 1993.

Local Government has been starved of funds over the last decade and many authorities face going bankrupt.

The causes of the local government funding crisis are well documented, especially the increasing costs of social care.

Re: Community Charge 2018/19

Posted: Mon 12 Mar, 2018 10:02 am

by TcfL

My recollection is that the extra monies giving to CCs for social care was, originally and at their behest, not ring-fenced and many spent it on other budget items. Since the system changed and introduced a set charge for social care CCs now see this as a univ style system to go for the maximum each year rather than have open debate or risk a challenge from the electorate. Am fully aware of the background to funding and long argued against the other party and increases in CC but now we are returning to the position of yearly increases at even higher rates. Don't forget this is also a conservative CC which promises (LTP4) a by-pass which seems to be more important to them that social care. Take your choice but for me social care comes first.

Re: Community Charge 2018/19

Posted: Mon 12 Mar, 2018 11:23 am

by newcomer

Also they added another £10m to their massive reserves. Even with my googling skills I'm finding it hard to find out how much they actually have, but one document I saw suggested £150m.

Re: Community Charge 2018/19

Posted: Wed 14 Mar, 2018 9:07 pm

by monkeyman1974

newcomer wrote:Also they added another £10m to their massive reserves. Even with my googling skills I'm finding it hard to find out how much they actually have, but one document I saw suggested £150m.

Given the mess certain Councils are in (Northants for example), I'm pleased to see a reserve. Not sure it's enough for a by-pass though!

Re: Community Charge 2018/19

Posted: Thu 15 Mar, 2018 10:15 am

by codek2

seems reasonable; I've not seen any visible cuts to services other than the mobile library, and that was done with the guarantee that no physical libraries close, so seems like a good way of doing it!

Re: Community Charge 2018/19

Posted: Thu 15 Mar, 2018 5:32 pm

by rogerstone

That depends on how much you rely on a mobile library & whether you can get to a physical one of course.